Segacs's World I Know

Posts Tagged ‘jack layton’

I was flying home from Toronto today but I caught snatches of the debate on the radio, and the end on television.

Two thoughts were running through my head for most of the debate: That it was actually kind of funny, and would be even funnier if not for the sad fact that these are the leaders of our country, and that it’s even sadder that Duceppe actually seems to be winning.

Harper seemed like he was already looking ahead to the prospect of a minority government, soft-pedalling his debates with Layton and especially Duceppe. Martin, for his part, looked like a tomato about to burst. Layton was just plain creepy with his fake smile that he wore the entire time. And is it just me or do you find it sad that Duceppe’s English is better than Martin’s French?

If I have to award points – and admittedly it’s tough – I’d give them to the following candidates:

To Paul Martin, for being the only candidate not to suck up to Gilles Duceppe.

To Stephen Harper, for being soft-spoken while everyone else was yelling like little children.

To Jack Layton, for actually managing to wear that smile for the entire time.

To Gilles Duceppe, for managing to use the words “fiscal imbalance” a record number of times in a two-hour period.

And last but not least, to the moderator, for staying awake.

CP is now reporting that Svend has offered a whole host of excuses for his departure – which seems to have been downgraded to a “leave” – ranging from medical to legal reasons. The “medical” reason seems to be “severe emotional stress”… apparently having something to do with an incident in which he stole an expensive ring at an auction:

Describing his past few months as a time in which he has experienced “severe stress,” the seven-term MP for Burnaby-Douglas said “something just snapped” last Friday when he pocketed a ring during a public sale at an auction house.

“For some time now, I have been suffering from severe stress and emotional pain ,” Mr. Robinson said during prepared comments. “…I have experienced great inner turmoil. The reasons for this are intensely personal and I’m not prepared to discuss them.”

Yeah, I’d say theft is a “legal” problem. His comments really give an insight into how unstable the man is.

In the meantime, NDP Leader Jack Layton seems to think Svend deserves some kind of medal:

“Svend spoke about how he made a mistake and how he’s taking responsibility for it,” Mr. Layton said. “He did the right thing by going to the police. If everybody who made mistakes were willing to take responsibility for it the way Svend Robinson has just done today I think we would be living in a better world.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for taking responsibility. But let’s not pretend that owning up to a mistake erases it.

The NDP has elected Jack Layton as its new leader.

Do you care? I don’t. *Yawn*.